Guilty verdict, life prison sentence in 1995 killing

William Earl 'Rusty' Huffstetler looks toward his family as a guilty verdict for the 1995 murder of Charleen Simons is read in court Thursday.

Brittany Randolph

By Molly Phipps

Published: Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 06:15 PM.

A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in what was once a cold case.

William Earl “Rusty” Huffstetler, 39, was charged in 2012 with the 1995 killing of Charleen Simons in Kings Mountain.

Police also charged Gator Walter Martin, of Comer, Ga., and Randy Wagenknecht, of Knoxville, Tenn., in the slaying. They both pleaded guilty, but have not been sentenced.

‘It’s been a long time’

The family of Simons breathed a sigh of relief, after nearly 19 years of waiting.

“It’s been a long time,” said her son, Robert Macleod, addressing the court. “There’s a lot of things to be said and I can’t say them all. I appreciate everything. Justice is served. My family appreciates it. I’m sure my mom’s feeling some justice, I hope.”

Macleod then addressed Huffstetler.

“I believe in God. And I hope you can find peace with that while you’re doing your sentence,” he said.

Huffstetler was asked if he wanted to speak to the family.

“To the family of Charleen, I am sorry about y’all’s mother. I did not kill your mother,” Huffstetler said. “I’m gonna do a life sentence for it. If y’all can get peace with that, I’m glad. But whoever done it is still out there.”

As Huffstetler was led out of the courtroom, he waved to family and friends. They waved in return, then exited the courtroom quickly amid tears. A nearly two-week-long trial was over.

‘We got closure’

Out of all the cases she’s tried, Assistant District Attorney Sally Kirby-Turner said it was the best collaboration among law enforcement agencies she’s ever been a part of.

“Every single law enforcement officer worked this case as hard as or harder than I’ve ever seen any case worked,” she said. “There was no avenue that wasn’t traveled to get this case to court.”

Kirby-Turner said it was a privilege to work with the officers on the case.

“And I’m so grateful to the jury for giving this family peace,” she said.

Simons’ family, too, was grateful.

“We got closure. I just thank God for justice that was served like it was supposed to be,” said Macleod.

Simons’ daughter, Wendy Causby, said although it doesn’t bring her mother back, the family is grateful for an end.

“She can rest now. It’s justice, as far as we can get it.”

Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published
without permission. Links are encouraged.

A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in what was once a cold case.

William Earl “Rusty” Huffstetler, 39, was charged in 2012 with the 1995 killing of Charleen Simons in Kings Mountain.

Police also charged Gator Walter Martin, of Comer, Ga., and Randy Wagenknecht, of Knoxville, Tenn., in the slaying. They both pleaded guilty, but have not been sentenced.

‘It’s been a long time’

The family of Simons breathed a sigh of relief, after nearly 19 years of waiting.

“It’s been a long time,” said her son, Robert Macleod, addressing the court. “There’s a lot of things to be said and I can’t say them all. I appreciate everything. Justice is served. My family appreciates it. I’m sure my mom’s feeling some justice, I hope.”

Macleod then addressed Huffstetler.

“I believe in God. And I hope you can find peace with that while you’re doing your sentence,” he said.

Huffstetler was asked if he wanted to speak to the family.

“To the family of Charleen, I am sorry about y’all’s mother. I did not kill your mother,” Huffstetler said. “I’m gonna do a life sentence for it. If y’all can get peace with that, I’m glad. But whoever done it is still out there.”

As Huffstetler was led out of the courtroom, he waved to family and friends. They waved in return, then exited the courtroom quickly amid tears. A nearly two-week-long trial was over.

‘We got closure’

Out of all the cases she’s tried, Assistant District Attorney Sally Kirby-Turner said it was the best collaboration among law enforcement agencies she’s ever been a part of.

“Every single law enforcement officer worked this case as hard as or harder than I’ve ever seen any case worked,” she said. “There was no avenue that wasn’t traveled to get this case to court.”

Kirby-Turner said it was a privilege to work with the officers on the case.

“And I’m so grateful to the jury for giving this family peace,” she said.

Simons’ family, too, was grateful.

“We got closure. I just thank God for justice that was served like it was supposed to be,” said Macleod.

Simons’ daughter, Wendy Causby, said although it doesn’t bring her mother back, the family is grateful for an end.